Feast of St. Michael ~ September 29th
St. Michael, is one of the Seven Archangels and one of only three actually named with-in Holy Scripture. (The other two being St. Gabriel and St. Raphael). St. Michael is best known for defeating the devil. The most popular story is in Revelations 12:7-9. He was called by God, to lead the army of heaven to fight against the army of the devil.
The word “Michael” means “Who is Like God.” St. Michael is also referred to as, “The chief Prince” (from Daniel). St. Michael is always depicted wearing armor, to represent his protection, and battle with the devil and is depicted with either a Spear or a Sword and also, The Scale of Justice.
St Michael holds the scale of Justice because, he is the one that decides who is in and who’s out. He holds the Scale to be in balance with mercy and justice. For having to scale mercy and justice is the closest thing to, “Who is like God” It’s also a symbol of the final judgment; that he will be the taking the balance of our Justice and Mercy.
Many prayers to St Michael talk about him bringing us into the heavenly kingdom without our enemies harassing us, which doesn’t surprise me, for he judges who goes to heaven and he protects people from their enemies.
St Michael was a God-made-Saint. He never lived on earth; however, he did visit a few times. In Josh-ua, although he is not named, it is said to be St Michael because he identifies himself as the Command-er of the army of the Lord. He also showed and helped Daniel through his visions and helped him fight the king of Persia.
St. Michael has 4 duties:
- Wage battle against the Devil ( Defend the church)
- Save the souls of the faithful from the evilness of the devil
- To protect the people of God
- To lead souls that of the departed, and present them to the Lord our God for their particular judgment.
St. Michael is our Personal Protector, of the Universal Catholic Church; of the Tabernacle, of all Souls, of The Light of Christ, of the Gate of Heaven, and of The Word of God.
Although he is always called “the Archangel“, the Greek Fathers and many others place him over all the angels – as Prince of the Seraphim. St. Michael is the patron of grocers, mariners, paratroopers, police and sickness.